Arrangement in electrolytic tanks with diaphragm cells



G. HAGLUND.

-ARRANGEMENT IN ELECTROLYTIG TANKS WITH DIAPHRAGM CELLS.

APPLICATION FILEDSEPT. 10, 1920.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

Application filed September 10, 1920. Serial No. 409,337.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAr HAGLUND, a subject of the King of Sweden, and a resident of 'Christiania, Kingdom of Norway, have invented certain new and useful 1mprovements in the Arrangement in Electrolytic Tanks with Diaphragm Cells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrolytic tanks with diaphragm cells and the object of the invention is the pro-vision of means whereby the liquid may be removed from the diaphragm cells without intermixing with the liquid outside the diaphragm cells and whereby ready and convenient removal of the diaphragm cells may be efi'ected- The invention also embodies means whereby the comparative levels of the liquids within and without the diaphragm cells may be regulated by a controlled removal of the liquid from the diaphragm cells without contact or mixing with the liquid outside the diaphragm cells.

In electrolytic processes which are carried out in diaphragm cells, liquids or so lutions having a different composition in the anode and in the cathode compartment are nerally employed, and the object of the iaphragm is to prevent the mixing of these solutions.

It occasions no difliculty to arrange inlet and outlet for the liquid outside the diaphragm cells, as this may be accomplished by means of an overflow or tubes passing through the wall of the electrolytic. tank itself.

With regard to the solution inside the diaphragm cells the problem is, however, a different one, and it has occasioned a great dlfficulty to arrange inlet and outlet for the solution in a satisfactory manner. Besides obtaining an even circulation of liquid through the cells, care must also be taken that the arrangement does not prevent inspecting and changing the anodes and cathodes as well as the diaphragm cells themselves.

The present invention has proved to satisfy all these requirements. In the drawings forming part of this application I have illustrated a suitable form of the invention. The

electrolytic tank chosen for illustrative purposes 18 one suitable for use in the deposition of metallic, nickel from a neutral nickel sulphate solution on cathodes placed outside the diaphragm cells, wit-h insoluble anodes such as for instance lead anodes inside the cells in an acid nickel sulphate solution. The addition of solution to the anode compartment is supposed to take place through the diaphra m itself. It is however obvious that the ad ition may just as Well be effected by means of a tube or a hose leading over the edge of the electrolytic tank directly into the diaphragm cell.

Fig. 1 is a section through an electrolytic tank with diaphragm cell inserted. Fig. 2 is a plan of the said tank. Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the outlet tube in detail.

The electrolytic tank a, having a suitable lining m is provided with ledges 0,0, for the support of diaphragm cells 6, b. Each diaphragm cell is constructed of the usual diaphragm material mounted on a wooden framework d. At a suitable distance from the top of each cell a tube 6 is mounted and extends through the framework d and terminates in a hollow nipple f. Opposite this nipple there is a passageway 9 through the side of the tank, suitably lined and faced by the flanged pipe Z. The construction of the nipple f and of the pasageway g is such that when the nipple is pressed into the passageway the joint between them is Watertight. This joint is normally maintained and is brought about by wedging action of a block it.

' On the outside of the passageway 9 there is provided a hollow nlpple i, of similar characteristics as the nipple f, and mounted to form a water-tight joint with the passageway. To the nipple z' is attached a curved tube j. The electrolytic tank is provided with a conduit is located beneath the passageway g and in line with the said curved tube. The arrangement is such that the tube j with its nipple i, can be rotated about the passageway g. The tube 6, nipple f, passageway g, nipple 2' and tube y, therefore, constitute a complete channel leading from.- the interior of the diaphragm cell to the exterior of the electrolytic tank.

Therelative levels of the liquid inside the diaphragm cell and the liquid in the electr lytic tank can be regulatw in-the following manner It will be a parent that the level of the liquid in the iaphragm cell is determmw by the position or the outlet end of the tube 9'. Assuming a constant level of liquid in the electrolytic tank, the tube j. is turned until its outlet end is at the "desired level of the liquid in the diaphra cell and this level is thus maintained. he liquid from the diaphragm cell flowing through the tube 3' discharges into the conduit is and is removed without contact or mixture with the li uid in the electrolytic tank.

en it is desired to remove a diaphragm cell from the electrolytic tank the supply of ii uid to the diaphragm cell having been cut oh, the tube 3' is first turned to its lower position so that all of the liquid in the diaphragm cell above the level of the tube e is exhausted therefrom. The tube j is then turned to its upper position to prevent discharge of liquid from the electrolytic tank when the cell is removed. The wedge h is then taken out and the diaphragm cell removed without any intermixture of the two liquids. The replacing of the dia phragm cell will be readily understood.

in the particular embodiment chosen for illustrative purposes, i. e., an electrolytic tank for the deposition of. metallic nickel, the tube 6, nipple lining Z, nipple a" and tube j are prefera ly made of antimonylead which has a sufiicient hardness and is not attacked by the solutions. The lining of the electrolytic tank m is preferably of lead.

it is, however, obvious that in each case that material will be chosen which is most suitable for the solutions used in the electrolysis. The collecting of the li uid flowing from the cells may of course e carried out by othermeans than the conduit shown in the drawing. lit will further be understood that when the diaphra cell is to be removed the nipple-i an tube j may be replaced by a stopper,

The anodes and cathodes placed in the diaphragm cells and the tank have not been shown in the drawing, as the present invention only relates tothe above described arrangement, which is entirely independent of the character of the anodes and cathodes.

The above specific illustration of m invention hasbeen given for clearness 0 un- -derstanding only, and no undue limitation should be deduced therefrom, but the appended claims should beconstrued as broadly as permissible in view of the prior. art

What It claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. The combination with an electrolytic tank and a diaphragm cell arrangedtherein of a tube, one end oi which is eltuatedln the diaphragm cell, the other end being pressed against the walls of an opening in a wall of an electrolytic tank to form a tight connection therewith. a

2. The combination with an electrolytic tank and a diaphragm cell arranged therein of a tube, one end or which is situated in the diaphragm cell, the other end being pressed against the walls of an opening in a wall of the electrolytic tank to form a tight connection therewith, and wedging means for eh ecting such connection.

3, The combination with an electrolytic tank and a diaphragm cell arranged therein oi a tube, one end of which is situated in the diaphragm cell, the other end having a coni cal end-piece fitting into and being pressed a. ainst the walls of an opening in a wall or the electrolytic tank to form a tight con= nection therewith.

d. The combination with an electrolytic tank and a diaphra cellarranged therein of a tube, one end 0 which is situated in the diaphragm cell, the other end having a conic cal end-piece fittin into and being pressed against the walls oi an opening in a wall oil in the cell may be regulated by raising and lowering the tube.

'6. The combination with an"electrolytic tank and a diaphragm cell arranged therein of a tube, one end of which is situated in the diaphragm cell the other end being pressed against the ,wa. is of an opening in a wall of the electrolytic tank to form a tight connection therewith, wedgin means for efiecting such connection, a nipple having an adjustable tight connection with the walls of said" opening and bein rovided with a tube-:Fwhereby the level o t e liquid in the cell may be regulated by raising and lowering the tube. p

7. The combination with an electrolytic tank and a diaphram cell arranged therein,

of means afiording'a complete channel from with a tube whereby the level of the liquid 8. The combination with an electrolytic terrupted when the electrolytic tank is re tank and a diaphragm cell arranged therein moved, and including means whereby the and detachable therefrom, of means affordoutlet of the channel may be adjusted with 10 ing a complete channel leading from the respect to the level of the liquid in the cell.

5 interior of the diaphragm cell to the exterior Signed at Christiania, Norway, this 5th of the electrolytic tank, said means includday of August 1920. ing means whereby the channel may be in- GUSTAF HAGLUND. 

